Step by Step Guide to Building a Ticket Tailor API Integration in Ruby

Aug 14, 2024 • 6 minute read

Hey there, fellow Ruby enthusiast! Ready to dive into the world of Ticket Tailor API integration? Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey that'll have you selling tickets like a pro in no time.

Introduction

Ticket Tailor's API is a powerhouse for event management, and we're going to harness that power with our Ruby skills. By the end of this guide, you'll have a slick integration that'll make your events run smoother than a buttered slide.

Prerequisites

Before we jump in, make sure you've got:

Ruby 2.7+ (because we're not living in the stone age)
The httparty gem (our trusty HTTP sidekick)
A Ticket Tailor API key (your golden ticket to the API wonderland)

Setting Up the Project

Let's get this show on the road:

mkdir ticket_tailor_integration
cd ticket_tailor_integration
bundle init

Now, crack open that Gemfile and add:

gem 'httparty'

Run bundle install, and we're off to the races!

Authentication

Alright, time to get cozy with the Ticket Tailor API. Grab your API key from your Ticket Tailor account and let's make some magic:

require 'httparty'

class TicketTailorAPI
  include HTTParty
  base_uri 'https://api.tickettailor.com/v1'
  
  def initialize(api_key)
    @options = { headers: { "Authorization" => "Basic #{api_key}" } }
  end
end

Making API Requests

Now that we're all set up, let's make our first request:

def get_events
  self.class.get('/events', @options)
end

Easy peasy, right? This method will fetch all your events faster than you can say "sold out"!

Core API Functionalities

Let's add some more muscle to our integration:

def get_ticket_types(event_id)
  self.class.get("/events/#{event_id}/ticket_types", @options)
end

def create_order(event_id, ticket_type_id, quantity)
  body = {
    ticket_type_id: ticket_type_id,
    quantity: quantity
  }
  self.class.post("/events/#{event_id}/orders", @options.merge(body: body))
end

Now we're cooking with gas! You can fetch ticket types and create orders like a boss.

Error Handling

Let's not let those pesky errors rain on our parade:

def handle_response(response)
  case response.code
  when 200...300
    response
  when 401
    raise "Unauthorized: Check your API key"
  when 404
    raise "Not Found: The resource doesn't exist"
  else
    raise "Error: #{response.code} - #{response.message}"
  end
end

Wrap your API calls with this method, and you'll be handling errors like a pro.

Ticket Tailor's API uses pagination, so let's play nice:

def get_all_events
  events = []
  page = 1
  loop do
    response = get_events(page: page)
    events += response['data']
    break if response['meta']['current_page'] >= response['meta']['total_pages']
    page += 1
    sleep(1) # Be a good API citizen and don't hammer the server
  end
  events
end

Testing the Integration

Time to make sure our code is as solid as a rock:

require 'minitest/autorun'
require 'webmock/minitest'

class TestTicketTailorAPI < Minitest::Test
  def setup
    @api = TicketTailorAPI.new('fake_api_key')
  end

  def test_get_events
    stub_request(:get, "https://api.tickettailor.com/v1/events")
      .to_return(status: 200, body: '{"data": []}', headers: {})

    response = @api.get_events
    assert_equal 200, response.code
  end
end

Best Practices

Remember, a good API citizen:

Caches responses when appropriate
Logs API interactions for debugging
Monitors rate limits and backs off when necessary

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've just built a rock-solid Ticket Tailor API integration in Ruby. With this foundation, you're ready to take on the world of event ticketing. Remember, the API is your oyster - keep exploring and building awesome features!

Resources

Now go forth and sell those tickets! Your events are about to become the hottest thing since sliced bread. Happy coding!